All About Trafford

AT THE HEART OF TRAFFORD

TRAFFORD CELEBS

'Trafford Celebs' shines a light on celebrities who have a Trafford connection. Below is a selection of famous faces that Wayne Devlin has interviewed for his weekly column 'Wayne's World' in the Messenger Newspaper.

Ian McShane - Urmston & Stretford.

As an actor, I take inspiration from the stars of the acting world. So when introduced to one of my acting heroes, one with a very special Trafford connection, I was thrilled.

Ian McShane, now residing in Hollywood, lived in Urmston between 1950 and 1960. He attended Canterbury Road Primary School before going on to Stretford Grammar School.

I asked Ian what he liked doing in Trafford and here’s what he had to say.

“I loved going to the Curzon Cinema and the swimming baths next door to it. I used to play football on the fields that are now the Urmston Bowling Club and play tennis on the courts that are still there in Crofts Bank Road. I also liked going to the dances at the Locarno in Sale.

"I was also a regular visitor to Old Trafford when my dad played for Manchester United from 1950 to 1955, and I still attend matches to this day."

I asked what his stand out moments were of his time in Trafford.

“Watching United play was always a highlight, but for myself it was when Stretford Grammar School did Cyrano de Bergerac and I played the part, which led to me going to The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

"I still enjoy coming back and seeing my mother, watching United and having local meat and potato pies. That childhood taste still comes back to you. They say it’s the water."

I would be hard pushed to pick my favourite role of Ian’s. I loved watching the TV series Lovejoy and I admire his work on Deadwood and in the film series John Wick alongside Keanu Reeves. So instead, I asked him what his own highlights from his career to date are.

“Highlights are really for other people to pick and it’s always surprising, but if I had to choose I’d say my favourites are Battle of Britain, Disraeli, Jesus of Nazareth, Cheaper to Keep Her (I met my wife Gwen on that), Lovejoy, Sexy Beast, Deadwood, John Wick (about to start number 3) and American Gods (about to start season 2)."

Ian McShane is a fantastic actor and a really nice gentleman who I am very proud to know and I’d like to thank him for taking the time to chat to me about his memories of Trafford.

Karl Pilkington - Sale

THIS week I’m chatting to one of my favourite television personalities - TV presenter, author, comedian, radio producer and actor Karl Pilkington.

I asked Karl about his memories of growing up in Trafford and here is what he had to say.

“I grew up on Racecourse Estate in Sale and then went to Ashton on Mersey secondary school where I struggled to understand most stuff before leaving with just a GCSE grade E in History”, said Karl.

I asked what does he like doing around Trafford?

He said: “Not much these days as I don’t live there any more. But I still have a wander around on Google Street View. I’m always looking at places I used to hang around, but it’s all changed. I noticed the other day that the Wagon and Horses has been knocked down on Cross Street. My mate said it’s been replaced by a Co-Op.

“Makes me feel old when places I knew disappear. I wonder if growing up in Rome keeps you feeling young and your memories clear because the buildings are standing there forever?

“I remember cycling all over the place with my pet magpie Maggie on my handlebars, only nipping home for a dripping butty for some energy before going back out again. I loved being on my bike.

“My favourite job was my paper round. I used to deliver to houses off Manor Avenue/Epping Drive and the posher houses near the Avenue. One morning I got up and found my bike had a puncture so I tried doing my round on a pogo stick. I was absolutely knackered. Pogo sticks are not a good mode of transport.”

How did a lad from Sale with an E in History become successful in the entertainment industry?

Karl said: ‘I loved music as a kid. My mam always had the record player or radio going, so I heard a lot of music. I always dreamed of doing a radio show but my careers advisor sent me on work experience at Kwik Fit. The only thing I learnt there was that I didn’t want to work there after leaving school. I ended up using money I saved from my paper round and washing cars to buy a mobile disco set up, which I made some decent money through.

“Then my dad had a heart operation in Wythenshawe hospital and some lad came round the ward asking if anyone wanted a record playing on the hospital radio station.

“I asked him how he got a show on there and he said anyone can do it as it’s voluntary. I ended up doing a few shows.

“That led to me getting my foot in the door at Piccadilly Radio, where I eventually did the overnight show for a couple of years before being sacked for talking too much and not playing enough music.

“I ended up as a producer on the breakfast show before moving to London to work for Xfm for nine years.

“I was given to Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant to produce their show and that led to the podcasts and TV stuff. It didn’t all happen quickly for me.”

So what’s next for Karl Pilkington?

“I’ve finished filming a new series called Sick of It. After writing a few books about my travels around the world, (Idiot Abroad and The Moaning of Life) I thought I’d have a go at writing something for television with Richard Yee, who was a director on some of the Idiot Abroad trips."

When he’s not working, Karl likes to do little jobs around his house and garden.

He said: “I’ve just finished cleaning the decking. Once I’m done with this interview I need to clean the filters in the hot tub. I keep myself busy.”

I asked Karl to impart some of his famous wisdom for The Messenger’s readers.

He said: “I’ve heard there’s more chance of you dying on the way to buy a lottery ticket than there is of actually winning it. Is it worth the risk?”

Sally Dynevor - Altrincham

I HAVE worked on our local soap Coronation Street on a number of occasions and always found everyone to be really friendly and professional and none more so than our very own Trafford local, Sally Dynevor.

Sally has lived and worked in Trafford for 30 years, her three children were all born at Trafford General Hospital and schooled right here in Trafford.

I asked Sally where she liked to go in Trafford and here’s what she had to say.

"Altrincham Market is wonderful. A real community space with a huge variety of food and drink and an exciting place to be and to meet people. The market started off a huge regeneration in Altrincham and it’s now a really vibrant place to be".

"We’re also really lucky to have Dunham Massey and Tatton Park on our doorstep and we’re lucky to have several great theatres within a short drive and we’re really looking forward to having the new Everyman Cinema in Altrincham later this year. Also, the entire Dynevor family are huge Manchester United fans."

I wanted to know how Sally got into the world of dramatics and how did Sally Dynevor become Sally Webster?

"From the age of 13, I knew what I wanted to do. I joined the Oldham Theatre Workshop and at 18 I moved to London and was accepted at Mountview Theatre School. Coronation Street brought me back home to the North.

"I’ve had the best time working on Corrie, I’ve been so lucky. There are so many highlights: Kevin and Sally’s ups and downs, some wonderfully dramatic, and funny, stories over the years, but now I’m really enjoying Sally and Tim’s relationship and I love it when Sally thinks she’s grander than she is, she’s such fun to play."

When not at work, Sally’s favourite thing to do is spending time with her family.

"I also love going for a run and listening to podcasts, going to the cinema and taking the dogs for walks. And boxsets. Lots of boxsets."

Sally and I both share a passion for supporting local charities and I have had the pleasure of performing for a few charities that are very special to her.

"I’m very proud to be patron of the Trafford-based Prevent Breast Cancer charity and its aim is to eradicate breast cancer for the next generation. I’m also a patron of Beechwood Cancer Care in Stockport, a wonderful charity."

I’d like to thank Sally for taking the time out of her hectic schedule to chat to me about her life here in Trafford.

Julie & Tom Malone - Stretford

THIS week I interviewed the stars of Gogglebox who fly the flag for Trafford - Tom and Julie Malone from Stretford.

I’ve met Tom and Julie Malone on a few occasions and they’re passionate about giving something back to the community by supporting charity events.

I asked them about their lives in Trafford and what they like to do.

Julie said: "As a family we like to watch TV and go out for the occasional meal."

"Me and Tom love spending time with our grandchildren and taking them to soft play areas and parks. We also like to go out to comedy nights and the Melville Pub. Our son Tom Jnr, who now lives in London, is either dancing, teaching dance, choreographing or going out socially. Our other son Shaun likes going out socially with his mates and the occasional game of football. He coaches football at Manchester United, for the mixed ability team."

It is obvious they are a close and loving family and I wanted to know more about what they love about Trafford.

Julie said: "We love living in Trafford. It's close to everything, lovely parks and play areas, shopping, cafes and close enough to the motorway and metro networks for going further afield. But the best thing about Trafford are the warm, friendly people."

Tom added: "I love to shop in the Arndale (Mall) and feel sad it’s being run down."

But Tom says that he doesn't shop, he just follows Julie around with a basket.

"I remember when it was all hustle and bustle", said Julie. "Especially at weekends. I like the Trafford Centre for clothes, presents and the cinema, but Urmston has a lovely shopping area too.Basically I just love shopping, especially at the bargain places on the retail park".

Being famous on TV means that people recognise the Malones when they’re out and about. I asked if it bothered them being stopped by strangers on the street?

Julie said: "We do get recognised and stopped when we are out and about. It's nice that people feel they can approach us and are so friendly. They usually ask about the dogs - especially Dave - the grandkids and the famous array of cakes. We don't mind in the least people stopping us for a chat. It means they can relate to us and see us for what we are - an ordinary family. People also like to commiserate with me for being married to a moaning, miserable Tom!

"We're just a normal, down-to-earth family with a love of dogs. We like the fact that people who watch the show see Rottweilers for the lovable family dogs that they are."